"It's always good to sit around a table and listen to the concerns of business owners in Billings," said Rep. Daines.

"This was our opportunity, as the Chamber of commerce, to spend some time with the Congressman, talking about energy independence and energy security," said John Brewer with the Chamber.

During the meeting, Rep. Daines talked a lot about the importance of energy for Montana's economy and future.

"I'm real optimistic and excited about what the future holds for Montana, and for the country, because of our coal deposits in our state, as well as the oil and gas deposits. This means jobs, it means tax revenue. It means economic prosperity for our state," said Rep. Daines, who went on to say he is not sold on President Obama's vision for the nation's energy future, which was announced recently.

"I'm concerned that the President's agenda there is really declaring war on coal, on oil and gas," said Rep. Daines.

Brewer, in particular, had something to say about the delay over the Keystone XL pipeline.

"Where Canada took seven months to develop their section and get it rolling, five years for us to be debating and discussing and researching, it is just excessive," said Brewer.

Daines said he wants the Federal Government to look at the nation's energy future through a balanced view.

"I'm not opposed to regulations. We just don't want to see Washington DC get extreme with regulations, and start having a negative impact on the coal, oil, and gas industry in our state," said Rep. Daines.

KULR-8 also reached out to the Northern Plains Resource Council for comments on what Brewer and Daines said. Former Chair Ed Gulick said Montana has a great opportunity to develop wind and solar energy, which will create jobs and not contribute to climate change. Gulick went on to say that coal is a resource of the past, and that there is no excuse to use them in the current day and age, with the presence of cheaper, cleaner energy.

At approximately 1 P.M. today, first responders were called to mile marker 20 on Milligan Rd. near the Smith River. The initial investigation shows 3 men, who have not been identified were on the Smith River with 2 boats. The 2-man boat rounded a corner on the river and struck a large rock which caused the boat to capsize. One of the men was able to swim to shore and is in good condition. The other man who was in the boat was not...

At approximately 1 P.M. today, first responders were called to mile marker 20 on Milligan Rd. near the Smith River. The initial investigation shows 3 men, who have not been identified were on the Smith River with 2 boats. The 2-man boat rounded a corner on the river and struck a large rock which caused the boat to capsize. One of the men was able to swim to shore and is in good condition. The other man who was in the boat was not...